August 5, 2025 • 11 mins
Ric and Ken joined the program to discuss the Grand Opening of the Lima Aquatic Park and the improvements at Simmons Field.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
To you buy quick is awake printing. Todd Walker here
as we roll through a Tuesday, and as we do
every Tuesday, we focus on the city of Lima, and
today Rick Stally is here with the Parks Department. Rick,
Good morning, Good morning, Todd. Lots of things to talk
about with you guys, and the first and foremost the
Lima Aquatic Center, or as people like me would just say,
(00:23):
the Pool. The pool is about to open, and we
have some dates set and you know, we've got some
kind of ceremonial openings and then the real opening.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Right, we do what we do, and you know, this
has been a labor of love for a lot a
lot of people. It's a team that's pulled this project
together over about a two and a half year period, Todd.
And now we're to the point where we're going to
walk down the aisle. You know, the courtship's over the
all the stuff that we needed to get done, it's
pretty much in line. And now it's time to you know,
(00:55):
talk about, you know, what's what's next for the city
of Line And this is a tremendous, tremendous opportunity for
the community.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Talk about the upcoming events as far as getting a
grand opening.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
So we're going to open, we're going to do a
little behind what we're calling behind the scenes, behind the
ribbon first look at the pool with a bunch of
donors who have stepped up to make this happen and
other investors, and that's going to be on the fifteenth
of August, where those people are being personally invited out
for at ten o'clock. Actually a couple of weeks here, right,
(01:30):
so a week from this coming Friday, we'll be there
and do a kind of behind the ribbon, a first
look at the facility. And you know, we've had people
through and different different times people have looked through and
understood that, you know, this is something that Linema can
be very, very very proud of. So we're excited about
(01:51):
getting the folks getting their eyes on that on that facility,
and different people I've had to go through there, I
got to tell you, they walk out with the idea
of you know, this is amazing, absolutely amazing, and so
we're so fortunate, we're so blessed. Then we'll turn around
a few weeks later and actually do the grand opening
(02:11):
on the thirtieth. The doors will open about nine o'clock.
We'll do a ribbon cutting on that Saturday at nine
point fifteen, and then we'll open the pool up for
people to enjoy the first dip in the pool and
enjoy the Lima Community Aquatic Park.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
And when is the first day it can be opened
or maybe the first day for the public.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
I should yeah, that's that's Saturday, the thirtieth of August.
We'll be looking forward to having that facility open and
ready to go.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
So you have your compatriot here, we want to bring
him in. Slip over a chair of there, absolutely, and
get up. I was unable to go get the back door,
but luckily somebody was paying attention, so forgive me. I
forget your name, Ken Cobb, thank you.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I can introduce himself.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Good morning, Ken.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
You are if you were brought in basically to help
them get the pool up and running right and staff
at that sort of thing.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Yes, and ongoing management and operations.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Yes, you feel comfortable with everything as we are about
to hit the opening, or you have the jitters like
anybody would before opening night.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Oh there's a few jitters, but no, we're ready to go,
very excited.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
You had a I call it a job fair but
a hiring event I think last weekend and I gain
how to go.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Yeah, it went well. We had about thirty folks come out.
So we are in a hiring mode for the three
main positions being our guest services staff, concessions and of
course lifeguards.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Now, the one part of the pool, the one pool,
will be open all year round. So are you hiring
full time year round positions? Here? Are these all going
to be seasonal? How's that going to work?
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, well, there is seasonal staff for the outdoor pool,
but the indoor pool, as you mentioned, is open all
year round. So those are part time and full time
jobs for the full year.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
And of course we had a real focus on raising
some funds to put into a pot for long term
maintenance and such. And I think you can use that
Mike ric You don't have to, you don't have to
move them around. We stepped it up. I got another microphone,
this say my first rodeo pal I got. So I
(04:29):
guess the maintenance up keeping all that that fund that
that's not always done. That's a great thing, right.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Well it is. You know, polls are expensive to run.
So the funds that were raised, the endowment fund that
Rick might be able to speak more to is very
important to the ongoing operations.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
You know, that endowment fund is designed to you know,
enhance the programming pot of the facility and so that
Ken and is company his team can pull together the
best and brightest people and then also take full advantage
of what the facility can offer. And I think, you know,
we'll be into a year before we realize all the
(05:10):
great things that can come about by having that endowment
and having those funds available to program and take care
of the of the facility without having to go to
the tax payer. So we're very blessed, you know, very
blessed to have this opportunity to enhance the quality life
for the line of community.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Ken, what about the job hiring event that you had,
I think, you know, just anecdotally, we hear about a
lot of places can't fill positions such as I'm thinking
about lifeguard might be hard to fill. How optimistic are
you that you'll be able to keep those positions staffed
well enough to not affect service levels.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Yeah, well, it's important because you know, safety, safety, safety
always at a facility like that, you have children in
your around water, it is a challenge quite candidly. We
are opening the pool at the end of the summer,
so a lot of our lifeguard staff are students, high
(06:14):
school and college students. But we combat that by constantly
having certification courses so we can train and staff people
that might not even considered a being a lifeguard, but
once they know about it, once they understand that, we
(06:36):
will give training. And right now we're offering free training,
so we'll certify lifeguards at no cost. And because of
that proactiveness, I don't think that we'll have a long
term problems staffing whatsoever.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
What about how much activity, in other words, how busy
is the indoor part of this? I think we all
get the outdoor pool. There's going to be demand, just
like there was for scoon over back in the day.
What's the prospects of keeping that indoor facility busy all
the time? How confident are you about that?
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Well? Very confident. I mean in the summer. Remember that
is a very unique design to where the roof opens
up and then the whole I believe it's west side
of the pool opens up too, so it really becomes
an indoor and outdoor pool, so you can go from
one pool to the other. So in the summertime, I
(07:36):
think it will be treated as a recreation pool, just
like the outdoor feature is. And then in the wintertime,
of course, we have all kinds of programs that are
going on and everything from you know, your adults coming
over to do lap swimming, water exercise, water fitness classes.
We've got the swim teams coming in there. So you
(07:59):
know that alone is going to keep the place pretty busy.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
All right, Well, that is all exciting and we are
looking forward to it. But I have Rick Stally here
because I want to ask about Simmons Field. Because we
got that contract approved by council, they decided they wanted
to take August off. Luckily, you guys were paying attention
and said you've got to approve this now so we
can work in August. Remind the folks what's going to
(08:24):
be happening at Simmons Field.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Well, it's another project the Parks and Recreation Department been
involved with for a period of time. This just didn't
come up last summer or anything like that, so we've
been working towards it. We're we're gonna returf, or we're gonna
put artificial turf in the infield we're also going to
redo the backstop and the wall behind the home plate
(08:51):
part of the backstop, and then all new bleachers behind
home plate Todd. So it's something that's certainly noted has
been needed. As you know, with the playoffs and the
Locals winning their eighth now championship as of last Saturday,
we had some problems with the playoffs because of weather,
(09:14):
and we don't see that as a continued problem at all.
When we go to the turf and so you know,
when you're driving, you're moving people, and you're talking about
some really good athletes that come in here from all
over the country, and to be able to provide them
with a facility that quite honestly is up to par
(09:34):
with what they're playing on at the college level, then
you're doing you're doing things the right.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Way, and of the timeline to begin work is pretty quick.
It is.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
It's as soon as possible. We'll start doing some demo,
we'll start getting some other items signed off on, and
the budget's pretty well put together and we're ready to move.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Well, you mentioned it's just the infield that'll be turf,
so the outfield will remain natural grass, So you still
have to have irrigation and water for that right.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Absolutely, yeah, So we have to dance around a few things.
When we irrigated that facility almost twenty years ago, it's
more than paid for itself over time, especially with the
infield and keeping grass as short as you know that
we keep it over there during the summer months if
we don't keep water on it, and so the same
thing with the outfield now. So yeah, it's something that
(10:28):
we've got to work with.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Just one last thing I wanted to mention, reverting back
to the quay park, so Lima Aquaticpark dot com and
on that page are the job links for all the
openings that we.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Have, gotcha and they need to hire people as the
pool is going to be open here and what about
three weeks officially for the public to enjoy. Rick, We
look forward to Simmons Field Ken thanks for coming in
talking about the pool. You bet, gentlemen, have a great morning.
It's eight twenty eight. News is next.
To you buy quick is awake printing. Todd Walker here
as we roll through a Tuesday, and as we do
every Tuesday, we focus on the city of Lima, and
today Rick Stally is here with the Parks Department. Rick,
Good morning, Good morning, Todd. Lots of things to talk
about with you guys, and the first and foremost the
Lima Aquatic Center, or as people like me would just say,
(00:23):
the Pool. The pool is about to open, and we
have some dates set and you know, we've got some
kind of ceremonial openings and then the real opening.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Right, we do what we do, and you know, this
has been a labor of love for a lot a
lot of people. It's a team that's pulled this project
together over about a two and a half year period, Todd.
And now we're to the point where we're going to
walk down the aisle. You know, the courtship's over the
all the stuff that we needed to get done, it's
pretty much in line. And now it's time to you know,
(00:55):
talk about, you know, what's what's next for the city
of Line And this is a tremendous, tremendous opportunity for
the community.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Talk about the upcoming events as far as getting a
grand opening.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
So we're going to open, we're going to do a
little behind what we're calling behind the scenes, behind the
ribbon first look at the pool with a bunch of
donors who have stepped up to make this happen and
other investors, and that's going to be on the fifteenth
of August, where those people are being personally invited out
for at ten o'clock. Actually a couple of weeks here, right,
(01:30):
so a week from this coming Friday, we'll be there
and do a kind of behind the ribbon, a first
look at the facility. And you know, we've had people
through and different different times people have looked through and
understood that, you know, this is something that Linema can
be very, very very proud of. So we're excited about
(01:51):
getting the folks getting their eyes on that on that facility,
and different people I've had to go through there, I
got to tell you, they walk out with the idea
of you know, this is amazing, absolutely amazing, and so
we're so fortunate, we're so blessed. Then we'll turn around
a few weeks later and actually do the grand opening
(02:11):
on the thirtieth. The doors will open about nine o'clock.
We'll do a ribbon cutting on that Saturday at nine
point fifteen, and then we'll open the pool up for
people to enjoy the first dip in the pool and
enjoy the Lima Community Aquatic Park.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
And when is the first day it can be opened
or maybe the first day for the public.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
I should yeah, that's that's Saturday, the thirtieth of August.
We'll be looking forward to having that facility open and
ready to go.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
So you have your compatriot here, we want to bring
him in. Slip over a chair of there, absolutely, and
get up. I was unable to go get the back door,
but luckily somebody was paying attention, so forgive me. I
forget your name, Ken Cobb, thank you.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I can introduce himself.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Good morning, Ken.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
You are if you were brought in basically to help
them get the pool up and running right and staff
at that sort of thing.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Yes, and ongoing management and operations.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Yes, you feel comfortable with everything as we are about
to hit the opening, or you have the jitters like
anybody would before opening night.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Oh there's a few jitters, but no, we're ready to go,
very excited.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
You had a I call it a job fair but
a hiring event I think last weekend and I gain
how to go.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Yeah, it went well. We had about thirty folks come out.
So we are in a hiring mode for the three
main positions being our guest services staff, concessions and of
course lifeguards.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Now, the one part of the pool, the one pool,
will be open all year round. So are you hiring
full time year round positions? Here? Are these all going
to be seasonal? How's that going to work?
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, well, there is seasonal staff for the outdoor pool,
but the indoor pool, as you mentioned, is open all
year round. So those are part time and full time
jobs for the full year.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
And of course we had a real focus on raising
some funds to put into a pot for long term
maintenance and such. And I think you can use that
Mike ric You don't have to, you don't have to
move them around. We stepped it up. I got another microphone,
this say my first rodeo pal I got. So I
(04:29):
guess the maintenance up keeping all that that fund that
that's not always done. That's a great thing, right.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Well it is. You know, polls are expensive to run.
So the funds that were raised, the endowment fund that
Rick might be able to speak more to is very
important to the ongoing operations.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
You know, that endowment fund is designed to you know,
enhance the programming pot of the facility and so that
Ken and is company his team can pull together the
best and brightest people and then also take full advantage
of what the facility can offer. And I think, you know,
we'll be into a year before we realize all the
(05:10):
great things that can come about by having that endowment
and having those funds available to program and take care
of the of the facility without having to go to
the tax payer. So we're very blessed, you know, very
blessed to have this opportunity to enhance the quality life
for the line of community.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Ken, what about the job hiring event that you had,
I think, you know, just anecdotally, we hear about a
lot of places can't fill positions such as I'm thinking
about lifeguard might be hard to fill. How optimistic are
you that you'll be able to keep those positions staffed
well enough to not affect service levels.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Yeah, well, it's important because you know, safety, safety, safety
always at a facility like that, you have children in
your around water, it is a challenge quite candidly. We
are opening the pool at the end of the summer,
so a lot of our lifeguard staff are students, high
(06:14):
school and college students. But we combat that by constantly
having certification courses so we can train and staff people
that might not even considered a being a lifeguard, but
once they know about it, once they understand that, we
(06:36):
will give training. And right now we're offering free training,
so we'll certify lifeguards at no cost. And because of
that proactiveness, I don't think that we'll have a long
term problems staffing whatsoever.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
What about how much activity, in other words, how busy
is the indoor part of this? I think we all
get the outdoor pool. There's going to be demand, just
like there was for scoon over back in the day.
What's the prospects of keeping that indoor facility busy all
the time? How confident are you about that?
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Well? Very confident. I mean in the summer. Remember that
is a very unique design to where the roof opens
up and then the whole I believe it's west side
of the pool opens up too, so it really becomes
an indoor and outdoor pool, so you can go from
one pool to the other. So in the summertime, I
(07:36):
think it will be treated as a recreation pool, just
like the outdoor feature is. And then in the wintertime,
of course, we have all kinds of programs that are
going on and everything from you know, your adults coming
over to do lap swimming, water exercise, water fitness classes.
We've got the swim teams coming in there. So you
(07:59):
know that alone is going to keep the place pretty busy.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
All right, Well, that is all exciting and we are
looking forward to it. But I have Rick Stally here
because I want to ask about Simmons Field. Because we
got that contract approved by council, they decided they wanted
to take August off. Luckily, you guys were paying attention
and said you've got to approve this now so we
can work in August. Remind the folks what's going to
(08:24):
be happening at Simmons Field.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Well, it's another project the Parks and Recreation Department been
involved with for a period of time. This just didn't
come up last summer or anything like that, so we've
been working towards it. We're we're gonna returf, or we're gonna
put artificial turf in the infield we're also going to
redo the backstop and the wall behind the home plate
(08:51):
part of the backstop, and then all new bleachers behind
home plate Todd. So it's something that's certainly noted has
been needed. As you know, with the playoffs and the
Locals winning their eighth now championship as of last Saturday,
we had some problems with the playoffs because of weather,
(09:14):
and we don't see that as a continued problem at all.
When we go to the turf and so you know,
when you're driving, you're moving people, and you're talking about
some really good athletes that come in here from all
over the country, and to be able to provide them
with a facility that quite honestly is up to par
(09:34):
with what they're playing on at the college level, then
you're doing you're doing things the right.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Way, and of the timeline to begin work is pretty quick.
It is.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
It's as soon as possible. We'll start doing some demo,
we'll start getting some other items signed off on, and
the budget's pretty well put together and we're ready to move.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Well, you mentioned it's just the infield that'll be turf,
so the outfield will remain natural grass, So you still
have to have irrigation and water for that right.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Absolutely, yeah, So we have to dance around a few things.
When we irrigated that facility almost twenty years ago, it's
more than paid for itself over time, especially with the
infield and keeping grass as short as you know that
we keep it over there during the summer months if
we don't keep water on it, and so the same
thing with the outfield now. So yeah, it's something that
(10:28):
we've got to work with.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Just one last thing I wanted to mention, reverting back
to the quay park, so Lima Aquaticpark dot com and
on that page are the job links for all the
openings that we.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Have, gotcha and they need to hire people as the
pool is going to be open here and what about
three weeks officially for the public to enjoy. Rick, We
look forward to Simmons Field Ken thanks for coming in
talking about the pool. You bet, gentlemen, have a great morning.
It's eight twenty eight. News is next.
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